Pakistan Under-19 Archives

UAE to host Afghanistan and Pakistan for U19 tri-series in November

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday confirmed that the Pakistan men’s U19 cricket team will take on Afghanistan and the hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a 50-over tri-series from 13 to 26 November.

Pakistan will face the UAE in the event opener (venue to be confirmed in due course) with the tournament to be played on a double-league format and the top two sides qualifying for the final.

This series will be played in the build-up to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 and will provide an excellent opportunity for the three sides to finalise their preparations for the competition, whose details will be announced by the ACC in due course.

With the PCB National U19 Cup (one-day) and Championship (three-day) due to commence in October, these events will be good platforms and opportunities for emerging and talented cricketers to perform consistently so that they can impress the selectors and strengthen their claims for the tri-series and the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup selection.

PCB Director International, Usman Wahla expressed his gratitude towards the Emirates Cricket Board for organizing the series.

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“We are delighted that the Pakistan Men’s U19 team will be taking part in a highly competitive U19 tri-series in the UAE just before the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup. This will be a great opportunity for the young players to grow and nurture their skills,” said Wahla.

“The PCB is thankful to the Emirates Cricket Board for arranging this tri-series which also shows strong bilateral ties between both the Boards and our shared commitment towards developing young players.”

Meanwhile, Director National Academy and Head Coach of UAE Men’s U19 team Mudassar Nazar showed believes that the tri-series will be a great platform for youngsters from the participating countries to prepare for U19 Asia Cup.

“The series provides an excellent preparation opportunity for the three teams ahead of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup,” said Nazar.

“UAE had an incredible run in last year’s Asia Cup, playing the final of the prestigious tournament which included cricketing powers like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was a phenomenal achievement indeed.

“U19 events act as a stepping stone for young cricketers and helps them understand the demands of professional cricket. We have an exciting bunch of young cricketers who are set to take UAE cricket forward in the years ahead, these two tournaments will surely help in their cricketing development and grooming.”

U19 tri-series (50 overs) Afghanistan-Pakistan-UAE Schedule

13 November – Pakistan vs UAE

15 November – Afghanistan vs Pakistan

17 November – UAE vs Afghanistan

19 November – Pakistan vs Afghanistan

21 November – Afghanistan vs UAE

23 November – UAE vs Pakistan

26 November – Final

READ: BCCI VP breaks silence on Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 boycott threat

“I want to lead like him”: Pakistan U19 skipper inspired by Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy

Pakistan under-19 captain Saad Baig has recently revealed his deep admiration for former all-format captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.

During a recent interview with a local sports outlet, Baig opened up about his journey and experience of leading the side to the semi-finals of the ICC U19 World Cup 2023.

“I started with tape ball cricket. Then my father got me admitted to Custom Cricket Academy. That’s where my journey began,” Baig said.

“I played U13, then U16, and after performing for three years there, I performed in the PJL. After consistently performing, PCB announced me as a captain. I represented Pakistan in the World Cup as a captain and also in the Asia Cup. So, thank God, the journey has been very good so far.”

Saad Baig also reflected on the role of captain in cricket, emphasizing on the handling the pressure as a leader.

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“As a captain, there is pressure on you. But how you lead your team under that pressure is a very important role. The journey of the U19 World Cup was very good; we showed good performances,” he added.

Prior to the U19 World Cup, Baig approached Sarfaraz Ahmed for advice. Baig disclosed that Sarfaraz provided him with valuable guidance, expressing his aspiration to emulate Sarfaraz’s strong leadership as a captain.

“Before going to the World Cup, I had a conversation with Saifi Bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed]. He told me how he played during his World Cup journey and gave me tips because he was also a captain,” shared Baig.

“I learned a lot from him; he always backs me. After the World Cup, he taught me a lot and gave me advice. So, as a captain, I like him very much. I like a bit of aggressiveness on the field, which he has, and I also want to be a captain like him and lead my team to victory.”

For the unversed, Sarfaraz led Pakistan to the U19 World Cup victory in 2006, by defeating arch-rivals India in the final.

READ: Waqar Younis set to get a major position in PCB: sources

Junaid Khan named as Pakistan U19 team’s bowling coach

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday appointed the former left-arm pacer Junaid Khan as the Pakistan U19 team’s bowling coach.

The decision came following the unavailability of bowling coach Rehan Riaz, who has opted out of the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 due to a family emergency.

Junaid Khan, who previously served as the head coach of Islamabad Region, led the team to victory in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy 2023-24 recently.

The 34-year-old Junaid Khan has represented Pakistan in 22 Test matches since his debut in 2011, picking 71 wickets at an average of 31.73.

He also picked 110 wickets in 76 ODI matches at 29.23 from 2011 to 2019, while in T20I cricket he picked eight wickets in nine games.

Junaid Khan was also part of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy-winning squad where Pakistan triumphed over India in the final.

The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 will commence on January 19, 2024, in South Africa, while the final is scheduled to be played on February 11, 2024.

Five venues across South Africa will host a total of 41 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup matches.

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The 15th edition of the showpiece event will feature 16 teams, divided into four groups.

Group A features defending champions India alongside Bangladesh, Ireland and the United States of America (USA), while Group B consists of England, South Africa, West Indies, and Scotland.

Two-time champions Pakistan are placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand and Nepal while Australia, Sri Lanka, Namibia and Zimbabwe were placed in Group C.

The top three sides from each group progress to the Super Six phase of the event.

The top four teams at the conclusion of the Super Six stage will then advance to the semi-finals, scheduled on February 6 and 8.

Meanwhile, the final of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup will take place on February 11 in Benoni.

South Africa will host the U19 World Cup for the third time, having previously hosted the 1998 and 2020 editions.

Notably, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded the hosting rights of the mega event to South Africa as a consequence of the apex cricket body’s provisional ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

READ: 2023 – a year of ups and downs for Pakistan Cricket